As a new guy on the block at this forum, I would like to tap your expertise on whether to buy a Model 10-6 for $200. Gun seems to be a good working order and overall would probably rate 90 percent if it weren't for heavy holster wear on the barrel.
Is this a fair price? .
Also, can anyone give me a firm year of manufacturer on the serial number which is 54536.
Finally, since the barrel is only marked .38 special, would be unwise to use +P rounds in it.
Thank you for your help and advice for an S&W newbie

$200 is a buy price, as for +P, It shouldn't be a problem

I would say good price also. Does the serial number have a letter prefix in it-C or D?

That's a great price for the gun, IMHO.

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Rough waters ahead.

GJH77,

No, the serial number has no prefix or suffix.

Thanks all for the advice. Old Lady says she's gonna buy it, so it seems to be unanimous.

I own several #10 & #64 revolvers. $200.00 is a very good price on one of these guns.

Have a look at the bottom of the grip frame, there should be one or three letters preceding 4-6 digits, this is the official SN and from this we can tell you when it left the factory.

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

The serial number is the one on the butt of the grip frame. A Model 10-6 should have a serial number that begins with a C or a D.

Hope this helps.

If it is a 10-6 then it does have a prefix letter which is part of the serial number. It will be either a C or D.

And price, I'd be on that like a Duck on a June Bug.

Yes, I see two numbers on the grip frame. the same number that is on the inside frame in front of the cylinder is there: 54536. But the second number has the C prefix: C644862
Thanks for all the input. She's buying, so I guess I'll have to be a good boy so I get to shoot the good buy!!

Yes, it is a good buy. In fact, ANY S&W in that shape for that price should be bought immediately. Just my .02

made between 1963 & 1966...that's a great find!!

plus p are no problem at all...do a search here on the forum...there is much on the topic as it comes up often...

does it have wood grips?

No it does not have the wood grips, but I understand they are not hard to find at all. This gun has the molded Hogue rubber grips, which are actually pretty nice for the hand.

Thanks all for your help. Gun is real nice and should be a good shooter. Might try it out Saturday at the range after our regular cowbay action shooting gig.

I do not need anymore model 10s, but for that price I would have "pulled the trigger."

I think that the major factor would be whether it has a standard barrel (AKA "pencil barrel") or a heavy barrel. With one, it would be a great buy, with the other, fuggeddaboutit. Opinions vary as to which is which.

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Formerly Model520Fan

should I assume the pencil barrel is the forget about it barrel?

I kind of like mine

Absolutely not. Which is which is a matter of personal preference. Both preferences have excellent reasons. Mine is also "pencil barrel," strongly, even though I once owned a HB 4" K frame which was an excellent shooter.

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Formerly Model520Fan

I am new to this forum and to S&W revolvers. I picked up my first S&W last April - a 10-7, 2" and blued. A very clean, pristine looking gun. It came from an estate sale and not many rounds put through it. As soon as I saw it, I jumped on it. I too was told not to worry about using the +P rounds. I absolutely LOVE it. And as guys at the range see it, they never fail to come over and admire it. Good luck with yours.

I had a current Model 10 wirh a heavy 4-inch barrel. It was one of the best and most accurate handguns I ever had. $200 is a great price. If you swing out your cylinder and see a model number stamped on the part of the frame that was covered by the crane then it is new enough to handle +P ammo.

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Andy

If it is a Model 10-6 it has the heavy barrel. The standard barrel would be the Model 10-5. When the next major change came along, the 10-5 became the 10-7 and the 10-6 became the 10-8. Unless the barrels have been changed, the model number can often determine whether it is the heavy or tapered barrel.

Hope this helps.

Steve

That is a good price in todays market. You can't go wrong buying a model 10,everyone should have at least one.

I also have a 10-6 and 10-8 and had both parkerized because,I use them alot. So far,the parkerizing shows no wear from ccwing every day.

Here is a security co trade-in. It shows it's age and wear and tear but it was priced accordingly. Model 10-5 with standard barrel.

Great price, and a darn good .38 revolver... There are good reason the 10 is such an enduring classic.
While I don't have a 10 at the moment, I do have 2 of the WW2
"victory" models ( a 4" and a 5")
Which later became the model 10.
Not fancy, not high tech... But a person that gets familure with one,
Can protect themselves just fine.

in a dull black, and it had rubbers on it...and it was priced at $399!


mark

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Liberals made the USA

46823
is the numbers on the crane of my smith
DOB?

Forget about the numbers on the crane. What are numbers and letters on the butt?

If you own 1 S&W, and plan on getting more, you need to get a copy of the Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson. It has been a valuable resource, for dating my guns and finding info on them.

My wife has become a revolver enthusiast (finally!!) and enjoyed shooting my S&W 64-1 and 67-6, however she found bot a little heavy. She likes the old 1954 era six inch pre-10 M&P better, but worries about shooting the older gun a lot. So-I suggested she purchase the first decent condition model 10, four inch we could find at a fair price.
She got this 10-5 (1977) with some honest holster/ handling wear, but very light firing wear for $329. We put a set of old round/square (fits neither correctly??) target stocks on it and took it to the range. WOW is all I can say. She shot quite well-keeping everything in the 7 to 10 rings at 25 feet (brilliant for her). I pumped 18 rounds into about 2 inches at the same distance. Can't do that with my 67-6! Wish I would have purchased some model 10's 15 years ago when they were $150 each.